Substance theory
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- | :''[[Essence]]'' | ||
- | In [[philosophy]], '''essence''' is the [[attribute]] (or set of attributes) that make an object or [[substance theory|substance]] what it fundamentally is, and that it has [[metaphysical necessity|necessarily]] (in contrast with [[accident (philosophy)|accidental]] properties that the object or substance has [[metaphysical contingency|contingently]], and without which the substance could have existed). The notion of essence has acquired many slightly but importantly different shades of meaning throughout the history of philosophy; most of them derive from its use by [[Aristotle]] and its evolution within the [[scholastic]] tradition. | ||
- | Based on such considerations, essence was a key notion of [[alchemy]] (cf. [[quintessence]]). | + | '''Substance theory''', or '''substance attribute theory''', is an [[ontology|ontological]] theory about [[Object (philosophy)|objecthood]], positing that a ''substance'' is distinct from its [[property (philosophy)|properties]]. This is part of [[essentialism]] in that [[ousia]] as a substance can also be a descriptor of an object's being ([[ontology]]) and/or nature. As substance or ousia is a permanent property of an [[Object (philosophy)|object]] without which the object no longer remains itself and therefore [[Potentiality and actuality|becomes]] some other object. Adherence to the philosophical doctrine of substance theory is known as '''substantialism'''. |
- | ==See also== | + | |
- | *[[Essentialism]] | + | |
- | *[[Theory of forms]] | + | |
- | *[[Accident (philosophy)]] | + | |
- | *[[Haecceity]] | + | |
- | *[[Physical ontology]] | + | |
- | *[[Quiddity]] | + | |
+ | ''Substance'' is a key concept in ontology and [[metaphysics]]. Philosophies may be divided into [[Monist]], [[Dualist]], or [[pluralism (philosophy)|Pluralist]] varieties according to the number of substances they consider the world to comprise. According to Monistic views, such as those of [[stoicism]] and [[Spinoza]], there is only one substance, often identified as [[God]] or [[Being]]. These modes of thinking are sometimes associated with the idea of [[immanence]]. Dualism sees the world as being composed of two fundamental substances, while Pluralism, a feature of [[Platonism]] , for example, and [[Aristotelianism]], states that more substances exist, and often that these substances can be placed into an ontological [[hierarchy]]. | ||
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Substance theory, or substance attribute theory, is an ontological theory about objecthood, positing that a substance is distinct from its properties. This is part of essentialism in that ousia as a substance can also be a descriptor of an object's being (ontology) and/or nature. As substance or ousia is a permanent property of an object without which the object no longer remains itself and therefore becomes some other object. Adherence to the philosophical doctrine of substance theory is known as substantialism.
Substance is a key concept in ontology and metaphysics. Philosophies may be divided into Monist, Dualist, or Pluralist varieties according to the number of substances they consider the world to comprise. According to Monistic views, such as those of stoicism and Spinoza, there is only one substance, often identified as God or Being. These modes of thinking are sometimes associated with the idea of immanence. Dualism sees the world as being composed of two fundamental substances, while Pluralism, a feature of Platonism , for example, and Aristotelianism, states that more substances exist, and often that these substances can be placed into an ontological hierarchy.